GUILDERLAND — Thomas Hesler, a World War II veteran who worked as a postal clerk and school-bus driver, died peacefully with his family by his side at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. He was 92.

Born and educated in Schenectady, he was the son — one of 13 children — of the late Frederick and Mary (née Dunn) Hesler and a graduate of Mont Pleasant High School.

He served his country in the Army from 1943 to 1945 in the South Pacific and Philippines during World War II. After the war, he worked with his brother Fred for Hesler Brothers Coal Company.

Mr. Hesler was employed as a postal clerk for the United States Postal Service in Schenectady for 30 years from 1956 to 1986. At the same time, he drove school bus part-time for the Guilderland School District for 25 years.

A member of St. Madeleine Sophie Church, Mr. Hesler loved spending time at the family camp on Lake Champlain; vacationing in Cape Cod; taking cruises with his wife, Rita; and doing projects with his three sons. He was also a passionate gardener with 84 tomato plants this past summer.

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Thomas Hessler is survived by his loving, wife Rita E. (née Padula) Hesler, whom he married Aug. 5, 1950; three loving sons, Mark T. Hesler, and his wife, Gretchen, of Franconia, New Hampshire, Jeffrey M. Hesler and Phyllis Quimby of Rotterdam, and Thomas B. Hesler of Guilderland.

He is also survived by one loving sister, Anna Nealon of Schenectady, and two sisters-in-law, Cathy Hesler of Rotterdam and Evelyn Hesler of Ballston Spa.

He is survived, too, by six loving grandchildren, Matthew J. Hesler, Thomas J. Hesler, Eryn A. Hesler, Madeleine E. Hesler, Katherine A. Hesler, and Samantha J. Hesler, as well as many nieces and nephews.

His siblings — Mary Ryan, Agnes Durocher, Jean Hesler, Elizabeth Mott, Dorothy Hesler, Edward Hesler, Charles Hesler, James Hesler, Frederick C. Hesler Jr., William Hesler, and Joseph Hesler — died before him.

Funeral services will be Monday, Feb. 19, 10:45 a.m. at the Bond Funeral Home at 1614 Guilderland Ave. in Schenectady followed by a Mass at 11:30 a.m. at St. Madeleine Sophie Church at 3500 Carman Road in Guilderland. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bond Funeral Home.

Entombment will be in the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna. Mourners may leave condolences online at www.bondfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ellis Hospital Intensive Care Unit, 1101 Nott Street Schenectady, NY 12308.